SPECIALJasmaine McCorvey stars as Hester in UAB's production of "In the Blood."

And then there were three.

Hundreds competed, and UAB's production of Suzan-Lori Parks' "In the Blood" is now just one of a trio of plays to be showcased this week at Washington's Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.

Director Dennis McLernon and his student cast of 10 will perform the challenging work on Tuesday, followed by performances from the University of Oklahoma and Michigan's Hope College.

It's the first time in more than 20 years that an Alabama college production has made it to the Kennedy Center, according to McLernon.

"The courage of the students in the production is the reason why we're going," he says. "It's a very challenging piece, especially in an area that's so faith-based. It scrutinizes hypocrisy in all quarters -- basically questioning how homelessness and poverty are allowed to exist."

Pulitzer Prize-winner Parks sets "In the Blood" underneath a bridge, where a woman, Hester, lives with her five children. The actors who play Hester's children also play their characters' fathers and other authority figures in the play. McLernon has added a chorus of four actors on stage, which Parks' original script didn't include.

"They don't create any original dialogue, so the words stay the same," McLernon says. "They echo lines that have been said by a character in the scene, but with a different subtext.

"This is an outstanding ensemble piece for African-American actors," he adds.

To make it to Washington, UAB first had to be judged on the local level by two "respondents" who saw the play separately.

"They gave verbal feedback to the cast and a written response that they turned into the regional chair," McLernon says.

Both respondents highly recommended that "In the Blood" proceed to regional competition, and McLernon and his company competed against six other productions for the trip to Washington. The Kennedy Center is providing transportation and lodging for the cast and crew.

'HISTORY BOYS' TOPS THEATRE DOWNTOWN SEASON

Theatre Downtown, which performs its shows at the Playhouse across the street from the Alabama Theatre, has an exciting third season planned, including some Alabama premieres and one original comedy:

 "The 13th Friday" (October) is an original comedy by Theatre Downtown founder Billy Ray Brewton. It's a spoof of the "Friday the 13th"-type slasher flicks.

 "Proof" (November-December) is David Auburn's Tony- and Pulitzer-winning play about a brilliant mathematician, his daughter and his protege.

 "The History Boys" (February 2009) is Alan Bennett's acclaimed play about a bright, but unruly, class of history students. This is the play's Alabama premiere.

 "Wait Until Dark" (April 2009) is the play by Frederick Knott that became the movie starring Audrey Hepburn as a blind New York woman terrorized by three men.

 "Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean" (June 2009) is Ed Graczyk's look at women gathering in Texas for the "Disciples of James Dean" 20th anniversary.

 "Essential Self-Defense" (August 2009) is also an Alabama premiere. Adam Rapp's play opens in a women's self-defense class but migrates to the search for a local killer.